Schools across Suffolk are being reminded that they have just two days left to boost their chances of unlocking thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment.

Schools registered for the Sports for Schools promotion must collect all tokens by Friday, May 18. They then have until Friday, May 25 to submit their total to judges.

Special tokens are printed in every edition of our newspaper - and parents, school staff and the local community can collect and donate them.

The top three schools with the most tokens - calculated on a pro rata basis based on pupil numbers - will receive prizes of £5,000, £3,000 or £2,000, while schools which collect 1,000 tokens will receive a free sports pack which is worth over £60.

The school with the most tokens as a ratio of pupils will receive the largest portion of the prize fund; for example 50 pupils collecting 6,000 tokens is the same as 100 pupils collecting 12,000 tokens. The winning schools will be notified by telephone once all token claims have been verified.

Last year's Sports for Schools runner up, Wood Ley Primary, showing off their new sports equipment. Pictured left to right, Georgia and Lillia. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Winning schools will also be announced in-paper, after which the sports packs will be distributed to all schools that have collected 1,000 tokens or more.

Despite a challenging climate for schools, the vast majority work tirelessly to make sure sport, and health, is still at the top of the agenda.

Eyke Primary School won the Sports for Schools competition last time. It claimed the top prize of £5,000 to improve sports provision and was treated to an inspirational Q&A session with British hurdler Serita Solomon.

Headteacher Debbie Scurrell said at the time that the windfall would contribute towards a sustainable PE department, and providing lunchtime sports equipment would be considered.

Last year's winners at Eyke Primary School reacting to the news that their school had won the competition. Picture: SIMON PARKER

She said: “We believe that physical exercise is just as important as academic exercise.

“It is a holistic approach to children’s learning. If you are physically fit, then you can prepare yourself to be mentally fit, and vice versa.

“That is something which Serita said. We could not have asked for a better role model.

“She talked about not being afraid to have a go at sport. Sometimes children lack confidence to even have a go, and she said to use your fears, and embrace your fears, and make that energy work for you, particularly when you are competing.”

Bury St Edmunds have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding a relegation play-off, something that was almost unthinkable a fortnight ago, following a third victory of the season over Cambridge Granta on Saturday.